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Leaving out guys who clearly are still elite players -- e.g. Brady -- it's interesting to try to guess which of the aging vets will or won't come back. My early thoughts are:

Kevin Faulk -- it's a pity, but he's done, as is evidenced by his difficulty making the active roster, and by some of his teammates' comments.

Lousaka Polite -- when a fullback misses his blocks, his career prospects aren't great.

Brian Waters -- yes, his family lives far away, but he really liked it here, and seems likely to come back.

Dan Koppen -- he's lived here since he was 18 years old. He'll make the deal to stay, as Matt Light did.

Chad -- asta la bye-bye. If he didn't get the playbook by the end of the season, he's not a good bet to get it next year either. On the other hand, he really rehabilitated his personal reputation, which will help him get a job elsewhere.

Deion Branch -- here in training camp. Reasonable fans can differ as to whether he'll make the final roster. (I lean yes, but not strongly.)

Andre' Carter -- back. He flourished here. Pay no attention to the line of reasoning that says the Pats must have a LESS flexible defensive system than they had this year, in which he might not fit.

Shaun Ellis -- makes a few plays a year. Not enough. Gone.

Gerald Warren -- at best, on the verge of losing a numbers game. But without Haynesworth and Ellis around, might stick.

Mark Anderson -- not old enough to fit this list. Also, I'm guessing he'll command enough money elsewhere that the Patriots will be outbid.

Disagree about Branch, get 3-4 catches per game as the #4 option in the O, not sure why everyone is so down on him. I think we find a #1 type WR deep threat, but Branch is a valuable backup and isn't looking to break the bank, will be surprised if he isn't on the roster.

Anderson - re-signed for a medium contract.
Branch - re-signed on a short, cheap deal.
Carter - not re-signed, but could come back at any time if needed like Warren did in 2011 if another team doesn't get him.
Connolly - re-signed on a medium contract.
Ellis - he balked at the Jets low offer last year, and I don't expect the Pats offering much more than that now.
Faulk - he'll probably retire at some point during the offseason.
Green-Ellis - re-signed for a medium contract.
Guyton - thanks for everything, but see ya...hopefully twice a year as a starter.
Ihedigbo - re-signed for a short contract.
Jones - they'll let him go.
Koppen - I think they'll at least let him test the market.
Koutouvides - not re-signed.
Molden - possibly re-signed on a short deal only to be cut in early September.
Slater - re-signed to a long contract.
Warren - could retire, or do what he did last year where he takes the offseason easy and then comes back.
Welker - franchise tag, hopefully a long deal at some point in the next year.
White - brought back on a short deal.

Anderson - gone (wouldn't mind him staying, I just see someone offering more $)
Branch - returning, may end up competing for his job
Carter - returning
Connolly - returning
Ellis - gone
Faulk - gone, unless his rebound in the next few months is an impressive one
Green-Ellis - gone if he wants full starter money, back if he'll take 'committee' money
Guyton - gone
Ihedigbo - back, expected to be backup/ST
Jones - gone
Koppen - returning if he's to be the starter, gone if he's not
Koutouvides - gone
Molden - gone or given an opportunity to compete in camp
Slater - returning
Warren - gone
Welker - returning
White - returning to compete in camp[/QUOTE]

It's early yet, and F.A. signings, along with the draft, could lead to some changes, but that's my first take.

There's a part of me that has this feeling through either the draft or free agency we're going to end up finding upgrades over them. I could be wrong... but its just a weird feeling. I'm no expert on who exactly could be an upgrade. But if I'm wrong then I'm wrong. We'll see.

Hoyer isn't going anywhere unless they get an offer they can't refuse, which I don't think they will. He's expecting a high tender. Branch will be back. He's perfect for the space Ocho wasted this season, 3rd or 4th WR who knows Brady and the playbook inside out, does all the little things even when he isn't targeted, willing role player and mentor for whichever FA or draft pick is competing for his old role as #2. Faulk is likely done but could be back for the off season and camp and possibly eased into a coaching assistant role for the season. Benny isn't going to get a raise here so it depends on what he sees on the market. Don't think they will let Connolly go. Koppen won't be back here for starter money. Hope Waters has one more season in him.

Carter and Anderson depend on what Bill is thinking scheme wise and how the draft unfolds and how Carter rebounds. As situational guys I'm sure he'd like them back for reasonable money. I think Warren is done. Ellis definitely is. Guyton should be. The rest could still return as ST/backups with some experience. But there will be 8-10 new faces and they'll have to compete with them to stick.

Not sure about finding upgrades for both Carter AND Anderson. I do think that Branch will end up in the same kind of competitive situation at WR that the other two guys will be in on the D-line.

I expect to see some number of receivers come into camp and Branch may not survive that. He will have a built in advantage because of his familiarity with the offense and because Tom likes him but Branch is aging and he does not have the size to play WR any different way than he plays it. Not a whole lot that a guy in his position can do once the quickness and speed start going.

There's a part of me that has this feeling through either the draft or free agency we're going to end up finding upgrades over them. I could be wrong... but its just a weird feeling. I'm no expert on who exactly could be an upgrade. But if I'm wrong then I'm wrong. We'll see.

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Both players had seasons that vastly exceeded my expectations. Not to rewind the SB but I do wonder how much success Eli would have had if both Carter and Anderson had been screaming off the edges.

As Mo stated, it depends on the scheme. Carter is not a OLB, however Anderson seemed to play the run a little better in the latter part of the year. The same criticism was leveled towards Rosie Colvin when he first arrived he improved greatly in his time here.

With that said, it all comes down to $$$ and the market but frankly I don't agree that you can adequately replace BOTH players next season.

With that said, they need a pass rushing presence at the DT position. If it's the 3-4 or 4-3 I really don't care.

That is true robertweathers. Good points you made. I'm thinking my judgment on the situation is wrong but I just got this nagging feeling at least one might either be traded or let go or whatever. Like I said we'll see. It wouldn't be the first time I'll eat crow on being wrong on something NFL wise. My judgment on getting rid of Matt Cassel before the 2008 season started based off of how badly he was playing in pre-season was dead on wrong.